ClearExpanse.com

Solar energy for residential homes is nothing new.  It has just been confined to the background in lieu of skyrocketing cost of property ; more moderen more complicated building materials, design and the limitation of resources. 

Since man started building homes, daylight played a major influence in the design.  In fact, even in the more sophisticated urban planning technique of the Ancient Chinese and Greeks, the orientation of the buildings is as much as possible directed towards where it could capture the most sunlight. 

The ancients would possibly not be as intellectually complex then to use slogans as passive solar and thermal mass but when they build, they were building in compact proportion, employing overhangs, producing insulations and building in manners that direct the airflow within the structure and manufacturing well lit, well ventilated spaces using the relative position of the sun to the orientation of their structures. 

Lately, as the traditional sources of energy became costlier, householders were once again turning to the sun for energy needs. 

Since the 1950’s, harnessing the sun’s rays has been developing and today the solar cell technology has achieved extraordinarily efficient levels that modern ( supposed green house ) designs apply the sun’s power to provide energy for the home. 

While solar energy is free, the device that will convert it to run our appliances isn’t.  To provide solar energy for the home, solar cells called photovoltaic made from semi-conducting materials, are grouped into modules.  These solar panels are mounted on rooftops, yards or open spaces where it can capture the maximum amount of sunlight. 

Whenever possible, the panels will be installed facing south to get the maximum out of the daylight but tracking systems are also used to follow the direction of the sun.  The solar panels collect the energy from the daylight.  The method basically is that when the panels are exposed to sunlight, the electrons are separated form the atoms.  This movement of the electrons creates electricity. 

To store power, pumps are often used - circulating water in the cells.  The water goes into a storage tank where the power is stored, prepared for use.  Sometimes, the use of gravity is employed if it will just the same store the heated water in to the tank. 

Despite all the development in solar energy though, the employment of this technology isn’t really enough to provide power to the entire house.  The best method so far can only satisfy about 80% of a homes power wishes.  The employment of solar energy for the home will still need the use of the typical power distribution methodology. 

Powering the houses by solar means will still, for a bit be enlarged by a local power distribution agency.  To many, this is a good kick off point.  House owners that feel the high price of powering their homes thru solar power, is justified when compared to the price that is now being paid for traditional electrification strategy where horrible amounts of CO2 are getting dropped into the atmosphere solely to generate a pathetic quantity of electricity. 

However, due in part to the skyrocketing costs of energy, the technology for solar energy has been undergoing rapid phases of development.  Gurus are confident that within five years, powering the home through the solar method will be made widely available for those that prefer it as its sole energy source.